Erskine Fire in Kern County scorches 19,034 acres
A fast-moving wildfire grew to 8,000 acres by Friday morning after destroying 100 homes and forcing hundreds of evacuations in rural communities near Lake Isabella in Kern County. (KABC)
By Mayde Gomez
Updated 6 mins ago
LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. (KABC) -- A fast-moving wildfire has exploded to 19,034 acres after destroying 100 structures and forcing hundreds of evacuations in rural communities near Lake Isabella in Kern County.
So far, there is no containment estimate. Approximately 80 of the 100 structures are homes, officials said.
The blaze, dubbed the Erskine Fire, exploded in size quickly after breaking out in the area around 4 p.m. Thursday. By evening, it had burned through 5,000 acres due to low humidity conditions and high heat. Early Friday morning, it was around 8,000 acres before more than doubling in size by 10 a.m.
"The forces of nature collided with a spark," Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall said. "The mountain terrain, five years of drought and wind gusts of over 20 mph all drove a fire over 11 miles in 13 hours."
Fire officials said about 1,500 structures are still threatened by the blaze, which has prompted hundreds of evacuations including the Kern Valley Hospital.
Three firefighters were hospitalized after suffering smoke inhalation.
Residents described a frantic flight from communities around Lake Isabella, a major destination for boating, fly fishing, rafting, hiking and camping.
Cachet Kirby, 22, of Mount Mesa, said she and neighbors grabbed clothes, blankets and their dogs, fleeing through thick smoke as flames came down the mountains.
"It was to the point you couldn't see, you couldn't breathe," she said.
She and others, exhausted Friday morning, were desperate for information about their homes.
"We could have gotten lucky and the wind shifted or our house could be burned down," Kirby said.
Cellphone service was out in many areas, contributing to the anxieties.
Authorities said Highway 178 was closed at Highway 155 and Sierra Way.
The blaze is 35 miles northeast of Bakersfield.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.